Textile Diaries: A Return To Comfort With Terry Cloth
After a Year of Staying At Home,
We Venture Out With
with Comfort Top of Mind.
Our Renewed Love For Terry Cloth and French Terry
It's been a crazy year, but one silver lining is we can all safely agree that luxury is now synonymous with comfort. The luxury of a towel that is both absorbent and plush to the hand is something we may have taken for granted in the past, however, many of us now relish in the perfect "Terry Cloth" or "Terry Cotton" material. Either by weaving or knitting, Terry Cloth has a unique texture and design, a woven textile with protruding uncut loops of thread. Not to get too technical here, but unique looms are utilized when creating Terry Cloth with two beams using longitudinal warp and fired laterally. Terry Cloth was first made popular in England in 1850 by the linen company Christy. There are however, two different kinds of terry (the one used to construct towels called Terry Cloth, and then there's French Terry which is used to create clothing). On one side of French Terry the material is flat to the body (for comfort) while the other side has the traditional cross loops we associate with Terry Cloth. Both Terry Cloth and French Terry are mostly constructed in absorbent and soft cotton, but other fibers can be utilized as well. So, not all Terry Cloth is created equal. The more absorbent the better, and the longer the loops are best too because they allow for more fluid to be absorbed.
I love how fashion acts a barometer for what's happening in our world and judging from some recent runways, comfort is now stylish. From slipper-like shoes, robe-like kaftans and dresses, we are taking "home on the road". French Terry is popping up everywhere on the runway and all the way over to bargain fashion brands (like H&M and Zara) with a big nod to comfort and looser fitting, unconstructed designs. I love how designer Marine Serre showed her entire collection from recycled materials, and highlighted and upcycled hotel towels in the spring 2020 collection. Take a look at some Terry Cloth and French Terry favorites...
